Patents Issued in March 9, 2021
  • Patent number: 10940370
    Abstract: Various embodiments of a golf putter having a putter head attached to an elongated shaft with the putter head defining a retention cavity configured to engage and retain a golf ball therein are disclosed. The retention cavity is formed along the back region of the putter head and is configured to have a diameter that is slightly less than the diameter of a regulation sized golf ball such that the golf ball is retained therein when urged into the confines of the retention cavity by the putter head. The putter head further includes an alignment aid that cooperates with the retention cavity to assist in aligning the golf putter during a putting stroke.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2021
    Assignee: Karsten Manufacturing Corporation
    Inventor: Thomas J. Morris
  • Patent number: 10940371
    Abstract: A golf club head that is capable of preserving the metallic acoustic signature of an entirely metallic golf club head all while utilizing a lightweight composite material is disclosed herein. More specifically, the golf club head in accordance with the present invention creates a frontal acoustic chamber in conjunction with a rear weight saving chamber via a panel member barrier is disclosed. The panel member may even be combined with an optimized thickness relationship at the transition region between the striking face portion and the panel member to further optimize the performance of the golf club head.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2021
    Assignee: Acushnet Company
    Inventors: Stephen S. Murphy, Richard Sanchez, Grant M. Martens, Stephanie Luttrell, Christopher D. Harvell, Darryl C. Galvan, Noah de la Cruz, David S. Cornelius
  • Patent number: 10940372
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a set of golf clubs comprising long irons, mid irons and short irons. Preferably, the long and mid irons have a face stabilizing bar and back panel that have a plurality of apertures in the face stabilizing bar and/or the back wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2021
    Assignee: Acushnet Company
    Inventors: Marni D. Ines, Jonathan Hebreo
  • Patent number: 10940373
    Abstract: A hollow golf club head includes a metallic front body coupled with a composite rear body. The front body includes a strike face and a surrounding frame that extends rearward from a perimeter of the strikeface. The rear body includes a crown member coupled with a sole member. The sole member has a structural layer formed from a filled thermoplastic material, while the resilient layer is bonded to the external surface of the structural layer and is formed from a fiber-reinforced thermoplastic composite material. The resilient layer has an opening through which a metallic weight pad at least partially extends. The weight pad is bonded to the structural layer and includes an aperture for attaching a metallic weight.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2021
    Assignee: Karsten Manufacturing Corporation
    Inventors: Travis D. Milleman, Ryan M. Stokke, Eric J. Morales, Martin R. Jertson, Tyler A. Shaw
  • Patent number: 10940374
    Abstract: A hollow golf club head includes a metallic front body coupled with a composite rear body. The front body includes a strike face and a surrounding frame that extends rearward from a perimeter of the strikeface. The rear body includes a crown member coupled with a sole member. The sole member has a structural layer formed from a filled thermoplastic material, while the resilient layer is bonded to the external surface of the structural layer and is formed from a fiber-reinforced thermoplastic composite material. The resilient layer has an opening through which a metallic weight pad at least partially extends. The weight pad is bonded to the structural layer and includes an aperture for attaching a metallic weight.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2021
    Assignee: Karsten Manufacturing Corporation
    Inventors: Travis D. Milleman, Ryan M. Stokke, Eric J. Morales, Martin R. Jertson, Tyler A. Shaw
  • Patent number: 10940375
    Abstract: Embodiments of golf club heads and methods to manufacture golf club heads are generally described herein. In one example, a golf club head may have a toe portion, a heel portion, a top portion, a sole portion, a back portion, and a front portion with a face opening. The golf club head may have a face portion joined to the body portion and covering the face opening. The golf club head may include an interior cavity partially, substantially, or entirely filled with a structural adhesive. Other examples and embodiments may be described and claimed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2021
    Assignee: PARSONS XTREME GOLF, LLC
    Inventors: Robert R. Parsons, Michael R. Nicolette, Bradley D. Schweigert
  • Patent number: 10940376
    Abstract: Described herein is a system of golf clubs having shafts with ascending weights (shaft weights that increase as shaft lengths decrease). The system of golf clubs can be manufactured by implementing a method called “stepping”, which allows the system of golf clubs with ascending weights to be manufactured with reduced quantity of inventory.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2021
    Assignee: Karsten Manufacturing Corporation
    Inventors: David Kultala, Martin Jertson
  • Patent number: 10940377
    Abstract: A ball bat may include a barrel wall formed at least in part by a plurality of concentric first composite laminate layers and a plurality of second composite laminate layers oriented transverse to the first composite laminate layers. In some embodiments, a ball bat may include composite material with a plurality of fibers oriented along a direction transverse to the longitudinal axis of the bat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2021
    Assignee: EASTON DIAMOND SPORTS, LLC
    Inventors: Dewey Chauvin, Ian Montgomery, Frederic St-Laurent
  • Patent number: 10940378
    Abstract: A new golf putting device incorporates a concave ramp turf surface having a set of golf putting receptacles and a corresponding set of golf putting receptacle plugs, and a set of distance indicia corresponding to the set of golf putting receptacles. Each golf putting receptacle plug includes a body portion and a turf layer. The receptacle's turf layer forms a part of the ramp turf surface and smoothly transitions into the ramp turf surface. The golf putting device also includes a frame structure and a ramp layer attached to the frame structure. The ramp turf is attached to the ramp layer. The golf putting device also includes a set of rails on the two sides of the ramp turf surface. The golf putting device further includes a set of target zone indicia on the ramp turf surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2021
    Inventor: Bradley James Offerman
  • Patent number: 10940379
    Abstract: A wireless game management system includes a plurality of game pieces, each game piece including a wireless module configured to transmit a location signal, and a wireless game management processor configured to determine the absolute or relative positions of at least two game pieces based on the location signals, determine a game status based on the absolute or relative positions of the at least two game pieces, and convey game status information through a user interface associated with the wireless game management processor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2021
    Inventors: William P. Rutledge, Daniel A. Henderson
  • Patent number: 10940380
    Abstract: A training apparatus for fast-rope training includes a platform-supporting structure having one or more containers and at least one platform configured for use in fast-rope training. At least one attachment is provided for attaching a fast-rope. The platform-supporting structure is supportable by a surface. The at least one attachment Is located higher than the platform and spaced laterally from the platform-supporting structure such that the at least one attachment overhangs the surface so a fast rope can hang from the at least one attachment, past the platform and toward the surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2021
    Assignee: Beaverfit Limited
    Inventors: Richard James Beaver, Thomas Edward Beaver
  • Patent number: 10940381
    Abstract: A golf swing training system includes light source(s) configured to emit light beam(s), one or more sensors configured to sense the emitted light beam(s) from the light source(s), one or more feedback indicators configured to indicate the path of the golf club and/or an angle of a club face of the golf club, and a control circuit in communication with the one or more feedback indicators and the one or more sensors. The control circuit is configured to receive one or more signals from at least one of the sensors, and in response to receiving the one or more signals, turn on at least one of the feedback indicators to output the audible sound or light to indicate the path of the golf club and/or the angle of the club face of the golf club.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2021
    Inventor: Timothy John Huether
  • Patent number: 10940382
    Abstract: Electronic tracking systems are disclosed for assisting users with locating objects in a sporting environment. One such system includes a ball tracking component that tracks a game ball while moving in the sporting environment, and a heads up display that is worn by the user. This heads up display has an electronic display screen with a transparent display area that dynamically displays images within the user's field of view. A processor, which communicates with the ball tracking component and heads up display, is programmed to detect movement of the game ball, and responsively determine launch characteristics and/or flight characteristics of the moving game ball. The heads up display displays the launch/flight characteristics contemporaneous with an object indication adjacent to or superimposed over the moving game ball as the game ball is visible through the transparent display area of the display screen within the user's field of view.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2021
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventor: Nicholas A. Leech
  • Patent number: 10940383
    Abstract: A system and method for a knot game. The game includes a weight coupled to a flexible line. The flexible line has an upstream end and a downstream end which his coupled to the weight. The game includes gripping the flexible line at a position upstream from the weight. Thereafter, the weight is dropped and allowed to remove the slack in the line. Then a force is applied to create slack in the line in an attempt to tie a knot in the flexible line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2021
    Inventor: Jason Starne
  • Patent number: 10940384
    Abstract: In a method of motion sensor calibration, a motion with which to calibrate a motion sensor is determined. The motion sensor is controlled by a sensor processor and the motion sensor is comprised within a user interface that is coupled with a gaming engine. The sensor processor and the gaming engine coordinate regarding the motion. The sensor processor monitors the motion sensor for evidence of the motion made as a user input via the user interface in response to game content implemented by the gaming engine, based on the coordination, to incite the motion. The sensor processor calibrates the motion sensor with the motion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2021
    Assignee: InvenSense, Inc.
    Inventors: Jibran Ahmed, Karthik Katingari, Hemabh Shekhar, Joe Youssef
  • Patent number: 10940385
    Abstract: A controller add-on includes a housing that mechanically couples to a game controller body. A conformable surface of the housing is configured to conform with a bottom of the body of the game controller. A plurality of buttons coupled to the housing are located opposite the conformable surface. A controller interface coupled to the housing is configured to communicatively couple to the plurality of buttons to the game controller. Buttons on the add-on may be mapped to controller buttons using customized button mapping pre-sets. A button mapping may indicate that a selected preset is to be hidden during a switching operation Upon receiving a switching operation input, the selected pre-set is skipped during the switching operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2021
    Assignee: Sony Interactive Entertainment Inc.
    Inventors: Glenn Black, Thomas Bruckbock, Arthur Kwun
  • Patent number: 10940386
    Abstract: The invention provides an improved controller (10) for a games console. The invention is a games controller (10) that is intended to be held by a user in both hands. Additionally, the controller of the invention (10) may comprise a plurality of controls located on the front and top of the controller. The controller of the present invention (10) is advantageous as it additionally comprises an actuator mounted to one of the plurality of controls located on the front of the controller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2021
    Assignee: Ironburg Inventions Limited
    Inventors: Duncan Ironmonger, Carl Jeffrey
  • Patent number: 10940387
    Abstract: Various embodiments of the invention disclosed herein provide techniques for implementing augmented reality (AR) gameplay across multiple AR gaming environments. A synchronized AR gaming application executing on an AR gaming console detects that a first gaming console that is executing an AR gaming application has exited a first AR gaming environment and entered a second AR gaming environment. The synchronized AR gaming application connects to a communications network associated with the second AR gaming environment. The synchronized AR gaming application detects, via the communications network, a sensor associated with the second AR gaming environment. The synchronized AR gaming application alters execution of the AR gaming application based at least in part on sensor data received via the sensor to enable the AR gaming application to continue executing as the first gaming console exits the first AR gaming environment and enters the second AR gaming environment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2021
    Assignee: Disney Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael P. Goslin, Nathan Nocon
  • Patent number: 10940388
    Abstract: A gameplay aspect, such as a hit volume, can be determined for a player-controlled gameplay element based at least in part upon a variance in input packet receipt timing. For games such as asynchronous multiplayer games where client devices are authoritative with respect the passage of time, players can obtain an unfair advantage but adjusting the timing of the input packets sent for those players. In order to address this potential unfairness, a hit volume for a player character can be increased in size according to the amount of timing variance, such that the player cannot avoid interactions as a result of the variation. A velocity vector can be used to sweep the hit volume in the direction of the velocity vector, and the variance can be used to increase the magnitude of the vector in order to expand the size of the hit volume for that gameplay object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2021
    Assignee: Amazon Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Karl Berg
  • Patent number: 10940390
    Abstract: An audio information processing method, comprising: providing a computer device having a sound effect processing unit, and the computer device being further disposed with a sound effect generating unit and a signal connection interface; the sound effect generating unit receiving an audio information and generating a sound effect signal and transmitting the signal to the sound effect processing unit; the sound effect processing unit analyzing the sound effect signal and generating a position identification signal and transmitting the signal to the signal connection interface; the signal connection interface transmitting the position identification signal to a control circuit of a peripheral device; and the control circuit having a processing unit for processing the position identification signal and generating at least one control signal and controlling at least one light-emitting unit to generate a light source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2021
    Assignee: EVGA CORPORATION
    Inventor: Tai-Sheng Han
  • Patent number: 10940392
    Abstract: A system, a machine-readable storage medium storing instructions, and a computer-implemented method are described herein for a System Tuner for customizing a player's experience. The System Tuner creates an optimal game model based on game-related data of a plurality of players. The optimal game model corresponds to a player segment in the plurality of players. The System Tuner generates one or more rules for building a game variant based on the optimal game model. The System Tuner detects a first player accessing the game. The System Tuner determines a particular player segment to which the player belongs. The System Tuner generates a game variant based on an optimal game model for the particular player segment and sends the game variant to a client device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2021
    Assignee: Zynga Inc.
    Inventors: Anshul Dhawan, Michael Gauthier, Oliver Attila Tabay, Jeffrey Zakrzewski
  • Patent number: 10940393
    Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for training a machine learning model to control an in-game character or other entity in a video game in a manner that aims to imitate how a particular player would control the character or entity. A generic behavior model that is trained without respect to the particular player may be obtained and then customized based on observed gameplay of the particular player. The customization training process may include freezing at least a subset of layers or levels in the generic model, then generating one or more additional layers or levels that are trained using gameplay data for the particular player.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2021
    Assignee: Electronic Arts Inc.
    Inventors: Caedmon Somers, Jason Rupert, Igor Borovikov, Ahmad Beirami, Yunqi Zhao, Mohsen Sardari, Harold Henry Chaput, Navid Aghdaie, Kazi Atif-Uz Zaman
  • Patent number: 10940394
    Abstract: In an exemplary game device, a first communication game unit enables a first user to play a game with a second user via near field communication. A second communication game unit enables the first user to play a game with a third user via Internet communication. A display control unit displays a screen showing information on the second user, the first user having played a game with the second user using the first communication game unit, and information on the third user, the first user having played a game with the third user using the second communication game unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2021
    Assignee: NINTENDO CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Shinpei Kiwada, Xizhou Xu
  • Patent number: 10940395
    Abstract: A device and method groups sport players into tiers for a fantasy sports auction and generates bid recommendations. The method includes receiving at least one parameter value for each of a plurality of sport players. The method includes determining a score value for each of the sport players as a function of the at least one parameter value. The method includes determining a corresponding tier value of a plurality of tier values for each of the sport players, each of the tier values being indicative of a respective range of score values. The method includes providing first player data for one of the plurality of sport players including at least identity data and the corresponding tier value. The method includes accepting the nomination of a second player, and generating recommended bid data using the at least one parameter value, and optionally modifying the recommendation thereupon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 24, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2021
    Assignee: Disney Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: J. Nathaniel Sloan, David Michael Fishel
  • Patent number: 10940396
    Abstract: Using user-specific prediction models, it is possible to present an individualized view of messages generated by users playing a shared instance of a video game. Further, users with different subjective views of what is offensive may be presented with different forms or annotations of a message. By personalizing the views of messages generated by users, it is possible to reduce or eliminate the toxic environment that sometimes forms when players, who may be strangers to each other and may be located in disparate locations play a shared instance of a video game. Further, the user-specific prediction models may be adapted to filter or otherwise annotate other undesirable messages that may not be offensive, such as a message generated by one user in a video game that includes a solution to an in-game puzzle that another user may not desire to read as it may spoil the challenge for the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2021
    Assignee: Electronic Arts Inc.
    Inventors: Jervis Pinto, Polina Igorevna Gouskova, Chetan Nagaraja Rao, Farah Mariam Ali, Mohsen Sardari, John Kolen, Navid Aghdaie, Kazi Atif-Uz Zaman
  • Patent number: 10940397
    Abstract: A novel space theme amusement park ride is disclosed consisting of a fleet of sophisticated bumper-car type vehicles operated by players within a large dome covered facility. The vehicles are configured to resemble combat spacecraft and are equipped to float above the floor on an air cushion supplied by mechanisms within the vehicle. Each space car vehicle seats a number of players who work as a team and play different roles within the space car such as gunner, helmsman, and Captain. The vehicles are equipped with functioning controls that perform and/or simulate various functions, such as steering, spin control, communications, and simulated weapons' systems. The vehicles and auxiliary equipment include automated devices that override player controls when needed to keep player vehicles within safety limits and to direct the vehicles off the floor at the end of their rides. The floor is circular and may be a thousand feet or more in diameter and simultaneously support 100 to 150 space cars, as for example.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2021
    Inventor: Maurice Daniel
  • Patent number: 10940398
    Abstract: A combination has a flat fabric doll with applied grommets for attaching reversible clothing and accessories. A doll head and torso joins by sewing to a front surface with arms and legs extending from beneath and adding depth to the doll. Grommets join to the torso and to reversible clothing. A brad or button threaded with pipe cleaner passes through the reversible clothing grommet and the doll torso grommet and exits the rear surface and bends for securement. A grommet applied above the head on the front surface receives a fabric loop for holding flat a doll during play. The invention also has another loop or label upon the rear surface that secures the doll to a stand by slipping over an upright pole of the stand.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2021
    Inventor: Erin M. Smelcer
  • Patent number: 10940399
    Abstract: This disclosure provides devices and systems for a moveable eyeball assembly for a doll head. The eyeball assembly can have a rear portion having at least one first eyeball magnet and a substantially hemispherical shape forming a rear cavity in the rear portion. The eyeball assembly can have a front portion having a substantially hemispherical shape. The front portion can have at least one second eyeball magnet configured to magnetically couple with the at least one first eyeball magnet. The front portion can have a pupil element. The front portion can have an iris portion surrounding the pupil element. The eyeball assembly can be received in a gimbal assembly to move the eyeball assembly in at least two axes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2021
    Assignee: Realbotix, LLC
    Inventors: Matthew McMullen, Susan Pirzchalski
  • Patent number: 10940400
    Abstract: A heat treatment furnace device for heat-treating precursor fiber bundles of carbon fibers, having: a heat treatment chamber, in which continuously supplied precursor fiber bundles are treated with hot air, a hot air circulation path, through which hot air from the heat treatment chamber returns to the heat treatment chamber, and a condensation/separation device, into which the hot air flowing through the hot air circulation path is introduced and separated into a condensate and a gas; wherein the condensation/separation device has: a condensation treatment chamber and a condensation unit, which is provided in the condensation treatment chamber and has condensation surfaces on which the condensate is formed and allowed to drip down.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2021
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Chemical Corporation
    Inventors: Yusuke Oka, Hiroshi Inagaki, Nobuyuki Yamamoto, Atsushi Kawamura
  • Patent number: 10940401
    Abstract: The present invention provides methods for cleaning or regenerating a chromatography materiel for reuse. The methods of the invention can be used for cleaning or regenerating chromatography columns for reuse in the large-scale manufacture of multiple polypeptide products.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2021
    Assignee: GENENTECH, INC.
    Inventors: Ekta Mahajan, Joanna So, Jay Werber
  • Patent number: 10940402
    Abstract: A method and a system for transferring a slurry of a separation resin, from at least one first container to a second container, said method comprising the steps of: connecting the at least one first container to the second container by a transferring connection; providing a degree of vacuum to the second container by a vacuum production device connected to the second container; allowing the vacuum in the second container to affect the content in the at least one first container through the transferring connection such that the slurry initially provided in the at least one first container is transferred to the second container through the transferring connection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2021
    Assignee: CYTIVA SWEDEN AB
    Inventor: Johan Fredrik Avallin
  • Patent number: 10940403
    Abstract: A parallel assembly (2; 11; 51) of chromatography column modules (3a,b,c; 13a,b,c; 53a,b,c, 90a, b) connected in a rigid housing (21; 61), the assembly having one common assembly inlet (15; 55) and one common assembly outlet (17; 57), each column module comprising a bed space (29) filled with chromatography medium and each column module comprises integrated fluid conduits which when the column module is connected with other column modules in the rigid housing are adapted to connect the bed space (29) of the column module with the assembly inlet (15; 55) and the assembly outlet (17; 57), wherein the total length and/or volume of the fluid conduit from the assembly inlet to one bed space together with the length and/or volume of the fluid conduit from the same bed space to the assembly outlet is substantially the same for all bed spaces and modules installed in the parallel assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2021
    Assignee: Cytiva BioProcess R&D AB
    Inventors: Klaus Gebauer, Manoj Kumar Ramakrishna, Daniel Salomonsson, Per Lofving
  • Patent number: 10940404
    Abstract: In an embodiment, a coalescing separator apparatus includes a containment well configured to include a coalescing media an inlet on a first end wall and an outlet on a second end wall; a surface-skimming drain disposed in the containment well; and a modular weir comprising a weir front wall, a weir middle wall, and a weir back wall, each of which are coupled to two opposing weir side walls, a through-hole being disposed in the weir back wall, through which the outlet is disposed. A modular weir and method for quickly replacing, maintaining, or repairing a weir in a coalescing separator apparatus is also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2021
    Assignee: OSI Environmental LLC
    Inventors: Michael A. Gaudiani, Jeff Mann
  • Patent number: 10940405
    Abstract: The invention relates to a filter element for filtering a fluid passing through the filter element with a group of first channels, in which each first channel extends from a first end to a second end and each first channel has on its first end an inlet opening through which the fluid to be filtered can flow into the respective first channel and is closed at its second end, and a group of second channels, in which each second channel extends from a first end to a second end and each second channel has at its second end an outlet opening through which the filtered fluid can flow out of the respective second channel and is closed at its first end, wherein at least one first channel is arranged adjacent to a second channel and the first channel is separated from the second channel by a partition wall, wherein the partition wall is formed of a filter medium through which the fluid to be filtered can flow from the first channel into the second channel, wherein the filter medium is a coalescence filter medium.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2021
    Assignee: DONALDSON FILTRATION DEUTSCHLAND GMBH
    Inventors: Hans-Michael Schuster, Abdelkhalic Rbayti
  • Patent number: 10940406
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for automated decantation of multi-phase fluid is disclosed. The apparatus for two phase fluid comprises a fluid line assembly, a floating marker, a sensor, an actuator assembly and a control board. The fluid line is attached to a reservoir containing the multi-phase fluid, comprising an inlet and two outlets. A three-way valve is disposed between the inlet and the two outlets. The floating marker is disposed within a cylindrical frame mounted within the reservoir. The selective density of the float marker is selected between the density values of two fluids in the multi-phase fluid. The float-marker floats between the two fluid phases due to the density of the float marker and fluid. The actuator assembly, configured to operate inlets and outlets of the fluid line. The number of outlets, sensor, and floating marker increases with the number of phases of fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2021
    Inventor: Mohammad Ghadyani
  • Patent number: 10940407
    Abstract: A scavenger comprising a formaldehyde sulfoxylate may be used to scavenge hydrogen sulfide (H2S) from systems that are brine or mixed production. Suitable formaldehyde sulfoxylates include, but are not necessarily limited to, sodium formaldehyde sulfoxylate, zinc formaldehyde sulfoxylate, and calcium formaldehyde sulfoxylate, potassium formaldehyde sulfoxylate, magnesium formaldehyde sulfoxylate, iron formaldehyde sulfoxylate, copper formaldehyde sulfoxylate, alkene aldehyde sulfoxylates, and combinations thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2021
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Holdings LLC
    Inventors: Scott E. Lehrer, Soma Chakraborty, Sunder Ramachandran, Kimchi T. Phan
  • Patent number: 10940408
    Abstract: Downflow hydrocarbon liquid device having a cylindrical upper part, a frustoconical lower part, an outlet pipe and a vortex-limiting system or vortex-breaker, with at least one flat blade and a hydrocarbon feedstocks conversion method employing the device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2021
    Assignee: IFP Energies Nouvelles
    Inventors: Benjamin Amblard, Joao Marques, Jean-Francois Le Coz
  • Patent number: 10940409
    Abstract: Cartridge components are configured to trap the upper end of a concave housing portion to define an enclosure surrounding a filter element. A disclosed embodiment includes a concave metal housing portion and plastic cartridge components, but other materials may be employed. An upper end cap spans the open end of the housing portion and defines at least one fluid flow aperture. A retainer surrounds the housing portion and is secured to the first component, with engagement features on the housing portion trapped between the upper end cap and retainer. The upper end cap and retainer may be secured to each other by spin welding, threads, adhesive or other suitable means. The outside circumference of one or both of the upper end cap and retainer may be provided with lugs, threads, bosses or other features to interface with complimentary features on the head for securing the cartridge to a head.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2021
    Assignee: Parker-Hannifin Corporation
    Inventors: Timothy M. Sasur, Justin R. Pribanic, Jonathan D. Moore, Chandrakant Siddharam Kotale
  • Patent number: 10940410
    Abstract: A fluid purification device includes a screen plate, a first filtration layer, a second filtration layer, a third filtration layer, a main body, and a dispensing plate. The screen plate has a plurality of inflow holes for filtering particles in fluid passing therethrough. Around a periphery of the screen plate, several convex sections are arranged and spaced apart from one another. The main body is hollow and has an open top and an open bottom opposite to the open top. Around an inner wall of the open top, several concave sections are arranged and spaced apart from one another. The concave section is shaped in conformity with the convex section, so that the screen plate can be secured to the open top of the main body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2021
    Assignee: XIAMEN QUANJIALE NEW MATERIAL TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Junyong Jiang, Peizheng Li
  • Patent number: 10940411
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a water filter cartridge, with a housing and a flow path for air for ventilating a water tank storing water to be processed by the water filter cartridge. The latter is distinguished in that shut-off means are provided for the flow path for air, preferably in the form of a valve or a membrane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2021
    Assignee: Aquis Wasser-Luft-Systeme GmbH, Lindau Zweigniederlassung Rebstein
    Inventor: Bernd Heitele
  • Patent number: 10940412
    Abstract: A purification device comprises a main body having an open extending horizontally; a rotator in the opening to be rotatably mounted on the main body; and a manipulation structure spaced from and above the rotator and rotatably connected to a top face of the main body, the manipulation structure protruding forward of the main body. The device also includes a water-outlet module with a fixed cover fixed to the rotator through the opening, the fixed cover protruding forward of the main body, and a top of the fixed cover being connected to a bottom of the manipulation structure; a vertically-movable cover held in contact with the fixed cover; and a water-outlet nozzle mounted onto a bottom of the vertically-movable cover. When the vertically-movable cover rises to a highest level, a top of the vertically-movable cover is located in a space between the rotator and the manipulation structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2021
    Assignee: LG ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventors: Jewook Jeon, Minho Kim, Youngseok Kim, Hoon Jang, Soonki Jung, Jingyu Ji
  • Patent number: 10940413
    Abstract: A filter includes a plurality of first through holes which are periodically formed. At least one of the plurality of first through holes is divided by a plurality of second through holes that are smaller than the first through holes. With such a configuration, the cell aggregate having the desired size can be easily sampled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2021
    Assignee: MURATA MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Masaru Banju, Junko Watanabe, Takashi Kondo
  • Patent number: 10940414
    Abstract: A filter assembly for use in an electronics enclosure is disclosed herein. The filter assembly has an inner assembly having a filter material comprising fibrous media and a containment assembly having a first containment layer and a second containment layer. The containment assembly defines an outer perimeter and the first containment layer and a second containment layer are bonded along the outer perimeter in an outer weld area to encapsulate the inner assembly. The outer weld area extends between the outer perimeter and an interior perimeter. The inner assembly defines an inner assembly perimeter that is within the outer perimeter of the containment assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2021
    Assignee: Donaldson Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Allen N. Nicklay, Scott A. Keller, Stanley B. Miller, III, Katsushi Isogawa, John Frein
  • Patent number: 10940415
    Abstract: An electret is disclosed including: a carrier, and polytetrafluoroethylene having a melting point of 35° C. or higher and 320° C. or lower deposited on the carrier, wherein the electret imparts an electrostatic charge to at least one of the carrier and the polytetrafluoroethylene, and has two or more melting point peaks in simultaneous thermogravimetry and differential thermal analysis. An electret filter is disclosed which preferably is used for a filter which requires durability to tobacco smoke. An electret filter is also disclosed having a fluorine-containing component deposited on a fiber surface, wherein an initial QF value is 0.5 mmAq?1 or more in collection efficiency of particles having a particle diameter of 0.3 to 0.5 ?m at a wind speed of 5 cm/s, and a filter deterioration rate by tobacco smoke loading is ?8/(g/m2) or more.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2021
    Assignee: TOYOBO CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Yoshiyuki Kitagawa
  • Patent number: 10940416
    Abstract: An air filter device including an air filter unit and an expansion unit. The air filter unit includes a filter media assembly maintained by an outer frame assembly. The outer frame assembly defines exterior length, width and depth dimensions of the air filter device in an initial state. The expansion unit provides one or more of an expanded length, width or depth in an expanded state of the air filter device. Portions or an entirety of the expansion unit can provided apart from the air filter unit in a deliver condition of the air filter device, or can be assembled to the air filter unit prior to delivery to a user. The air filter devices of the present disclosure are useful with a wide variety of differently size air handling devices, able to readily seal with an air handling device compartment via the expansion unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2021
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Glen O. Gregerson, Thomas J. Herbrand, David J. Prince, Danielle M. Schreppel, Craig D. Thompson, Judd D. Olson
  • Patent number: 10940417
    Abstract: An air purification system to remove dust and other particulate matter from passing air is disclosed. The air purification system includes a housing. The housing includes a plurality of vents provided. Further, the housing includes an opening provided at a bottom of the housing. The air purification system includes a door hingedly coupled to the housing. Further, the air purification system includes an air filter removably inserted into the housing through the opening. The air filter is aligned with the plurality of vents. The door is closed to form a closed structure with the housing. The air filter is used to filter air passing through the plurality of vents and to collect dust and particulate matter. The air purification system is used as a standalone device such as forced air heating and air conditioning system or as an accessory to an existing forced air heating and air conditioning systems.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2021
    Inventor: Joshua Bishop
  • Patent number: 10940418
    Abstract: A round filter element has a filter medium body with a wall to be flowed through by a fluid to be purified radially relative to a longitudinal axis of the filter medium body. The filter medium body has a longitudinally extending cross-sectional shape in a direction transverse to the longitudinal axis. The filter medium body has a first end face and a second end that are axially oppositely positioned relative to each other in a direction along the longitudinal axis of the filter medium body. A first end disk and a second end disk are arranged at the first and second end faces, respectively, and have the same cross-sectional shape. The filter medium body has a twist by being twisted about the longitudinal axis such that the axially oppositely positioned first and second end faces of the filter medium body are angularly displaced relative to each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2021
    Assignee: MANN+HUMMEL GmbH
    Inventors: Nadine Donauer, Pascal Neef
  • Patent number: 10940419
    Abstract: A honeycomb filter including: a pillar-shaped honeycomb structure including porous partition walls; and porous plugging portions disposed on either one of end portions of each of the cells, wherein a porosity (%) of the partition walls is defined as P1, a porosity (%) of the plugging portions is defined as P2, an occupancy (%) of the partition walls relative to an area of a cross section orthogonal to an extending direction of the cells of the honeycomb structure is defined as N1, the P1 is 50 to 65%, the P2 is 60 to 70%, the N1 is 22 to 39%, and X represented by Formula (1) satisfies a relation of Formula (2): X=P1/P2×N1,??Formula (1): 18.80??0.19X2+11.33X?121.63?50.50.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2021
    Assignee: NGK Insulators, Ltd.
    Inventor: Yoshiki Konno
  • Patent number: 10940420
    Abstract: A method for forming a plugged honeycomb article includes feeding a ceramic precursor material through an extrusion die, the extrusion die having a plurality of pins, a plurality of cavities bounded by adjacent pins, and alternating end-faces of the plurality of pins include extensions extending from an outlet of the extrusion die in an extrusion direction. The method further includes extruding the ceramic precursor material through the extrusion die to form a web structure comprising a plurality of cell walls and channels bounded by adjacent cell walls, supporting the web structure that has been extruded through the extrusion die, and providing movement between the extrusion die and the web structure in at least one direction substantially orthogonal to the extrusion direction while the extensions are positioned in at least a portion of the channels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2021
    Assignee: Corning Incorporated
    Inventor: Thierry Luc Alain Dannoux
  • Patent number: 10940421
    Abstract: A honeycomb body having intersecting porous walls which includes first through fourth cells, wherein the cells extend from inlet to outlet face and are plugged to define a repeating structural unit with three inlets and one outlet channel. Repeating structural unit includes a first channel including length L1, width W2, and area A1, a second channel including length L2, the width W2, and area A2, a third channel including the length L1, width W1, and area A3, and a fourth channel including the length L2, the width W1, and A4, wherein the first through third channels are inlets and the fourth channel is a rectangular outlet and at least one of W1>W2 and L1?L2, i.e. W1>W2, or L1?L2, or W1>W2 and L1?L2. Repeating structural unit has a quadrilateral outer perimeter. Particulate filters including the honeycomb body, honeycomb extrusion dies, and methods of manufacturing the honeycomb body are provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2021
    Assignee: Corning Incorporated
    Inventors: Douglas Munroe Beall, Dana Craig Bookbinder, Pushkar Tandon